Alstom has signed, at the end of June 2007, a 150 million euros contract to provide five GT13E2 gas turbines with five TOPAIR turbogenerators and associated auxiliaries to the new 800 MW Az Zour power plant being built in Kuwait. These will be the first gas turbines Alstom has sold in Kuwait since the 1960s.

Al Ghanim International Trading & Contracting Co. W.L.L. selected Alstom because of its track record in fast projects in the Gulf region, such as the DUBAL project in the UAE and Al-Hidd 2 project in Bahrain where GT13E2s open cycle plants were delivered and commissioned within 12 months of the start of the contract.

For Az Zour, Alstom will be able to provide all the turbines and turbogenerators in record time, allowing the plant to supply electricity in time for the seasonal peak in demand in Summer 2008.

The Az Zour power plant is one of the power projects initiated by the Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW) of Kuwait to address the 5 GW power shortage expected by 2010.

Philippe Joubert, Alstom’s Executive Vice-President and President, Power Systems Sector, said: “Winning this contract in Kuwait confirms Alstom’s ability in fast-track projects. With very short-lead times plus the outstanding performance of GT13E2 technology, Alstom expects to win future projects for electricity generation in the country.”